The rest of us and the pundits have noted that City's zonal marking at set plays is suspect atm, so as poor as Dempsey as been, he is one that can attack a high ball, I also think Ade should be amongst this, with Caulker up from the back (hopefully he's seen Skrtels recent bullet header against them) thats a good enough threat, but with JD in fine form, and undroppable following a hatrick, I think Ade might be disappointed again.
Afternoon mate ...didn't say too much anyway, playing the underdog card basically, but no hints at personnel.
Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen; Lennon, Sandro, Huddlestone, Bale; Adebayor, Defoe. for me
Honestly, I think we need both Dembele and Sandro to have a good chance in this game. Even with Sandro back I'm not really expecting a result. Though we may well get overrun in a 4-4-2, I just don't think it's right for the players and fans to try to go back to the 4-2-3-1 that was so dismal against Wigan. If we play a 4-4-2, we might well lose 5-1, but there's at least some chance for a 4-3 win and a better one for an exciting game. LLors [edit--time to see if his shot-stopping can rise to the occasion] Walker Dawson Caulker Vertonghen Bale Sandro Carroll/Huddlestone Lennon Adebayor Defoe If Sandro can't play, move Vertonghen to DM, and replace with Naughton. We need someone fast who can tackle at DM. I can't make up my mind on Huddlestone vs. Carroll. I'm afraid of Huddlestone's lack of speed and Carroll's lack of experience. I'm 100% for Adebayor starting. It's the best option, even if it means the formation we play isn't ideal.
Villas-Boas has already stated that Sandro won't feature, and there's no return date listed for his injury lay-off (although I wouldn't be surprised if it's the day of that Brazil friendly...)
Someone wrote a book once called "Great Expectations". I expect to lose against City as I did against United. I want to walk on water again! COYS!!!!!!!
It all seems so clear. We lose the game and a load of people come on here and complain how incompetent the manager is. ... ignoring the fact we're going up against the league champions with a lot of our first choice team (particularly in central midfield) missing - and don't give me that rubbish about the squad needs to be good enough - if we're playing ManU / Chelski / ManC then we need our best team on form to have a chance. It's unrealistic to think otherwise. Hope I'm wrong!
Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Vertonghen; Sandro, Huddlestone; Lennon, Bale, Dempsey; Adebayor Lloris, Naughton, Dawson, Livermore, Carroll, Sigurdsson, Defoe
Very sensible line up from AVB imho. At last we have Defoe to come on if we need impact, and we get to see if Dempsey and Adebayor works. Defensive line looks solid too. Strength in the middle. I'm glad that Huddlestone is getting a chance to prove his worth alongside Sandro. I think Hudd at his best will make an excellent midfield partner to Sandro. Good alternative to Dembele.
Good team to start with...intelligence needed upfront so Ade over Defoe makes sense. I'm not as confident as I was with Friedel anymore. However Lioris hasn't impressed as much as his bum boys in the press have been bragging about him either. COYS!!!
This is a free game for us...no one gives us a chance... we are without Kaboul, BAE, Dembele and Parker so all the pressure is on them. As we ain't really in a competition with city I am more worried about next weeks match... I got us down to lose 4-3
My main hope is that Sandro got over his knock, which AVB was saying would keep him out of the game a few days ago. My other hope is we have Iko Uwais marking Balotelli...
He does make mistakes sometimes, but he is the most experienced CB we have, plus he wants to win games!! Warrior mentality. I'm guessing he'll captain the team too.
